08/04/2008 08:50 AM

Long Range Plans

SECTION_ONE:__BACKGROUND

SECTION_TWO:___MISSION_STATEMENT

SECTION_THREE:__STRATEGY_AREAS

STRATEGY_AREA_I.__EQUIPPING_FOR_OUTREACH

STRATEGY_AREA_II.__ADVOCATING_FOR_JUSTICE

STRATEGY_AREA_III.__NETWORKING

STRATEGY_AREA_IV.__SUPPORT

“CONNECTING and EQUIPPING GOD’S PEOPLE for

CHRIST’S MINISTRIES in APPALACHIA”

 

Long Range Plan

download PDF

Approved April 2003 plus 04/2008 updates

 

SECTION ONE:  BACKGROUND

 The organizing Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia (ELCMA) was held in Pottsville, PA in 1990.  At that time the following mission statement was adopted by the delegates: 

   MISSION STATEMENT:

The Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia (ELCMA) is an intentional expression of member synods and churchwide units called to:

*Hold up to the church a vision of its mission in Appalachia

*Coordinate the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as it participates in God’s mission to the people and place of Appalachia

*Oversee the development and implementation of Ministry strategies in the region.

 

As a result of this mission statement and the identification of the need to develop a long range plan, a survey was conducted to determine directions for this ministry in Appalachia.  A long range plan was developed and implemented.

*At the 1997 ELCMA Assembly, participants were asked, once again, to address concerns for the ELCA and ELCMA.  The areas identified were Outreach, Leadership Development, Networking, Interpretation, Empowerment and Advocacy for Justice.  These areas expanded upon those identified in earlier years.  The following was a result of a long range planning session, held by the ELCMA Council in October, 1997 that was facilitated by Ms. Sally Camp, Associate Director for Lutheran Services of America.  This proposed revision the long range plan was processed by soliciting feedback from ELCMA partners (the 15 synods, Institute for Mission in the USA, the Town & Country Church Institute,  the Division for Outreach, the Division for Church in Society and the ELCA/CORA Commissioners.  It was, then, revisited by the council, using the input received from these partners and presented to the 1998 ELCMA Assembly for their consideration and approval.   It was approved April 22, 1998.  

In early 2001, ELCMA Council realized that, again, it was time to do long range planning.  Following a similar process to 1997, information was solicited from 2001 Assembly delegates and other ministry partners.  A planning retreat facilitated by Ms. Ruth Reko, Division for Church in Society Director for Staff and Board Development and Director for the Department for Social Ministry Organizations resulted in the following plan reflecting the concerns and needs surfaced by the survey and input from ELCMA’s  ministry partners.  Following refinement of the initial draft, the document was circulated to ELCMA’s partners for revisions.  A draft was presented for approval at the 2002 ELCMA Assembly.  It was reviewed, changes were suggested and a final version will be presented to the 2003 Assembly for approval.

 

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SECTION TWO:   MISSION STATEMENT

 

   The Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia

Connects and Equips God's People

for Christ's Mission

in Appalachia.
.

SECTION THREE:  STRATEGY AREAS

 

STRATEGY AREA I.  EQUIPPING FOR OUTREACH - ELCMA partners with other entities of the church to equip the saints, to reach out and witness to the Gospel in Appalachia.

 

GOAL 1.  Encourage, network, resource and advocate on behalf of new mission   starts, reconfiguring congregations and mission developers in Appalachia

Responsibility: ELCMA Coordinator, ELCMA Council Division for Outreach (DO) Representative, in cooperation with DO Mission Directors, ELCMA Synod Delegates

Time line: Ongoing

Resources: DO regional consultations, synod staff and synodical outreach committees, Appalachian Mission Developers and practitioners

Measurement:  DO Representative and Mission Directors as well as ELCMA Synod Delegates inform the Coordinator and/or the Council of new mission starts and reconfiguring congregations in Appalachia. Coordinator makes the contacts and reports to Council. Develop and distribute a packet of resources gleaned from our constituency for celebrating new ministry starts and reconfigured congregations

08/08 Update:  ELCMA maintains a relationship with Faith Lutheran Chapel, a mission start in Pickens SC.  This is one of the mission starts we will feature in our Appalbites electronic newsletter, Prayer Invitations, in speaking engagements and other conversations where appropriate.  ELCMA continues to be an advocate for Living Waters LC, Cherokee NC in a variety of ways, especially with sending volunteer groups to them.  In November Living Waters was able to send gifts to Appalachian Women’s Alliance in Clinchco VA for their Christmas party.  In each of these sites and others, we engage in intentional prayers and communication with the mission developers.  As bishops and synod staff identify locations and invite our participation, ELCMA is involved.

 

GOAL 2. Participate with Division for Outreach to support and equip people for ministry in the Appalachian Region by, but not limited to, publicizing and/or offering outreach and evangelism training, beginner’s grant writing training and leadership development training; incorporating of new mission starts and transformational ministries in Prayer Invitation brochures and Appalachian network

Responsibility: ELCMA Coordinator, ELCMA Council DO Representative, ELCMA synod delegates, synodical outreach committees

Time line: Ongoing

Resources: Regional Coordinators, Synod Bishops and staff, DO staff, ELCMA website

Measurement: At least three grant writing training events presented, publicity for training events on website calendar and in Appalbites, continued distribution of Prayer Invitation brochures which include new mission starts and redevelopments at ELCMA’s, synods’ and churchwide assemblies and other events before May 2004.  These same activities continue on an ongoing basis.

08/08 Update:  Grant Writing Training for Beginners was conducted in Lumberton NC and Bristol VA in J une.  ELCMA initiatives like The Glenn Heasley Appalachian Ministry Award and the Don Roth Recognition Award have given annual awards beginning in 2004.The Glenn Heasley Award, a sabbatical scholarship, is awarded to someone dedicated to serving calls in Appalachia.  It is a way to highlight and lift up ministry in the region.  The Don Roth Recognition Award also began giving awards in 2007.  This recognition goes to congregations engaged in creative outreach to their community.  The coordinator made personal visits to each recipient’s congregation to present the award and thank them for their commitment to ministry.  ELCMA has also been working in Konnarock, VA, Salters, SC, Penn Run, PA and Punxsutawney, PA with community and Lutheran groups to help them further their projects that are related to economic development and justice issues, especially in the areas of leadership development, facilitation of meetings and process and in connecting to unexplored resources.  The efforts are bearing fruit.  Konnarock Retreat House just took possession of the property they organized to obtain and rehab.  Hopewell Community Center, Salters, SC has raised enough money to purchase the property for their new food bank/pantry and outdoor recreation center.   In His Hand Ministries has become incorporated and brought an issue to the Advocacy Summit.  And Jefferson Area Lutheran Social Ministry incorporated and is now affiliated with ELCA.

 

GOAL 3. Continue to produce and distribute updates to the Handbook for Small Churches

Responsibility: Small Church Handbook Task Group

Time line: At least every third year produce updates, the next being 2004

Resources: Leaders in Appalachian region, STaR Team, ELCMA support staff

Measurement: Distribution begins at ELCMA Assemblies, the next being in 2004. Other distribution is not limited to but includes Appalachian Synod offices, ELCA Region offices, ELCA seminary bookstores (where appropriate), First Call Theological Education Trainings, and requests from publicity in Seeds for the Parish, synodical newsletters and other similar venues

08/08 Update: A new task group is working on the next supplement to The Small Church Handbook.   They are first editing the current editions and then will consider supplements to them.  Pat Pittsnogle (USS) is chairing this group.  While ELCMA distributes these as requested, primarily using e-mail attachments, floppy disks or CDs, they will be on the web for download in late 2008 or early 2009.

 

GOAL 4.  Complete the Sunday school curriculum that includes Appalachian culture, is  user-friendly, and is appropriate for churches with under 100 members. These resources will help congregations meet the needs of their members as well as assisting congregations to more effectively invite the unchurched into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  The material will strive to assist congregations to revitalize ineffective or struggling Christian education programs.

Responsibility: Sunday School Curriculum Task Group

Time line: Summer, 2002 - test packet in selected congregations for testing and                          input.  Assembly, 2004 - distribution of finalized product

Resources: Selected churches in targeted contexts to test material, Division for Congregational Ministry to help with editing and perhaps printing, ecumenical partners to supply input

Measurement: Distribution of finished product at 2004 Assembly

08/08 Update: The writing phase of this project has been completed.  Editing and production is being completed one unit at a time.  The completed pieces are at the website in PDF format for free downloads.  Region 8’s First Call Theological Education and the Global Mission Event in Camp Hill showcased the curriculum and the Handbook for Small Churches in a workshop.  Two of the new Appalachian Bishops (Hoover & Eaton) are considering ELCMA for presenters at synodical events to share these resources.  Beginning in May a task group will begin work on Confirmation material to be used in the same way as the Sunday School Curriculum.

GOAL 5.  Provide resources for the celebration of Appalachian Heritage Sundays

Responsibility:  Synods continue to share with ELCMA resources developed.  Appalachian Heritage Sunday Task Group gathers and designs variety of materials on an ongoing basis, to discover and affirm Appalachian identity and to recognize ongoing Appalachian ministries. Delegates work to have day set aside as Appalachian Heritage Sunday in their home synods. Delegates will also work to see that AHS Sunday is observed in congregations. 

Time line: Ongoing

Resources: Current packet supplemented by developing resources

Measurement:   Increase in number of synods using packet from three (West Virginia/Western MD, Upper Susquehanna, & Southeastern Synods) to six by 2004

08/08 Update: Our print resource has been, and continues to be widely distributed.  Currently, we are working on an updated packet for distribution. This resource will be available by summer’s end at the website for a free PDF download.

GOAL 6. Publicize training events sponsored by ELCA churchwide units and other entities that support ministry in Appalachian congregations.

Responsibility:  ELCMA Coordinator, ELCMA Council DO Representative, in coordination with DO Executive Director

Time line: Ongoing

Resources: Delegates, Elcmanews, Appalbites, ELCMA website, Regional Coordinators, Synod Bishops, DO Executive Director and Mission Directors, DCS, ecumenical partners including CORA.

Measurement:  Publicity disseminated and/or training events offered.

08/08 Update:  ELCMA actively promotes the involvement of numerous ELCMA groups with Dave Sanders, the STaR Weaver.  We anticipate offering leadership development and grant writing training in conjunction with the churchwide unit for Church in Society in 2008/2009 We connect Appalachian folks with Loretta Horton for the grant writing training as she offers them throughout the region.  We are actively lobbying for an event to be held in the Lumberton NC area.  ELCMA continues to promote and foster the use of Just Neighbors for hunger education.  We have been broadcasting numerous training opportunities offered by other entities including the ELCA.

 

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STRATEGY AREA II.  ADVOCATING FOR JUSTICE - ELCMA, along with other ELCA entities as well as ecumenical partners’ witnesses with the people in Appalachia to advance human rights and justice.

 

GOAL 1.  Develop a strategy to address environmental issues that impact  Appalachia, including but not limited to, exploring formation of regional cell groups to address disaster preparedness

Responsibility: ELCMA Coordinator and Council, with 2002 ELCMA Assembly approval to research and potentially hire additional staff

Time line: Grants researched, submitted, and funded no later than Fall 2005. Work plan proposal submitted by the new staff person to ELCMA Council by January 2006

Resources: Danielle Welliever-Director for Division for Church in Society’s Environmental Stewardship, Diaconal Ministry “internships”, ELCA Social Statements, community organizations, regional and ELCA colleges with environmental programs, ELCA Seminaries, CORA, Thrivent, and the federal office of Homeland Security

Measurement: Strategy implemented by 2004 Assembly

08/08 Update:  This goal has taken a new direction.  After many false starts, ELCMA has secured a grant from in Society-ELCA.  ELCMA held an Advocacy Summit on December 07, 2007 to learn what issues are of importance to our region and then develop an advocacy agenda and strategy for 2008.  Five groups sent in issues and presented at the meeting.  We were joined by members of the Appalachian Coalition during the presentations.  Three experts, Rev. Dennis Sparks – WV Council of Churches Executive Director, Ms. Mary Minette from the Washington Office of the ELCA (Advocacy) and our own Rev. Dr. Ralph Dunkin, Bishop of the WV/WMD Synod- ELCA assisted ELCMA staff in choosing our Advocacy Agenda for 2008.  Because all of our presenters talked about sustainability ELCMA is working to promote a Sustainable Living Campaign.  It encompasses many items including web connections, sustainable practices by staff and council, an immersion highlighting sustainable practices from personal to global and a web connection to launch newcomers on this path.  Numerous educational days are planned beginning with two on Sept 5 & 6.

 

GOAL 2.  Inform our constituents on issues of poverty and empower Appalachian people to address the realities of poverty

Responsibility: ELCMA Coordinator, Council, Standing Committees and synod delegates

Time line: Continually updated sharing of information via publications and networks.   Include pertinent alerts on Elcmanews and in Appalbites immediately, focusing on issues of poverty.  Resource and encourage any one/group desiring to champion an issue.  Enlist the help of the trained advocates for justice in locations identified as early as possible, but by December 2002. 

Resources: Division for Church in Society (DCS) and Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs (LOGA) trained Advocates for Justice, synodical staff, Lutheran Services in America, Lutheran Social Ministry Organizations, and the Conference of Bishops Committee on Ministry Among People Living in Poverty (MAPP), state councils of churches climate change committees, ELCA Colleges and Seminaries

Measurement:  Consistent sharing of information via publications and networks of  available trainings, technical assistance sources, advocacy opportunities and  networks addressing specific issues for possible action and ministry.

08/08 Update:  ELCMA now participates in the distribution of domestic hunger funds to grant applicants.  This allows ELCMA to know what projects are working on the Appalachian territory, to offer technical assistance and to connect resources where appropriated.  Immersions are another valuable way that ELCMA assists in interpreting the poverty issues for “outsiders” and provides a stage for “locals” to have the voice in sharing the stories of the mountains.  We will join our advocacy summit with this goal to provide immersions that educate and empower to action the participants around the advocacy goal. This will be the first time ELCMA has “marketed” an immersion to the public without a partner.   ELCMA currently posts electronic messages and alerts on Elcmanews as well as contacting delegates in areas where issues are surfacing as we become aware of them.  Our network includes Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA (LAMPa), Sharon Leatherman – staff for the Methodist Appalachian office, Sandy Elledge - staff for Episcopal Appalachian Ministry, Dave Ruesink - Executive Secretary of the Rural Church Network - Texas A&M University Rural Sociology Program and the STaR Ministry Alliance Affinity Groups. 

GOAL 3. Begin diversity awareness exercises within ELCMA, and share resources     with our partners

Responsibility: ELCMA Council, Standing Committees, and Coordinator

Time line: The Council or its appointees will offer diversity exercises at the Assembly in 2004 

Resources: The Handbook for Small Churches will include resources for diversity  awareness in the 2004 supplement.  The website and other publications will include diversity awareness resources.  Involve CORA-trained anti-racism trainers to assist in the training and the collection of resources

Measurement: Time line met as stated above

08/08 Update:  ELCMA has a resource list in our current Small Church Handbook Supplement for folks who want to work on diversity awareness within their own circles.  ELCMA visited the Civil Rights Museum and the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church at the 2006 Assembly and debriefed the assembly participants on their experiences. And for more than one year, the ELCMA Council worked with Sheila Miller-Banks and Dave Preisinger on anti-racism training and by reading Dismantling Racism followed by guided and prayerful discussions.  We, at our 2007 Appalachian Assembly, held a forum for Anti-racism resources, both people and print.  Now we need to make plans for future work in this area.  Now Council has made anti-racism training a part of our devotions and will begin work with a publication called Beyond Our Comfort Zone

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GOAL 4.  Participate with full communion partners, other ecumenical partners including CORA on advocacy goals that are consistent with ELCA social statements and ELCMA foci

Responsibility: ELCMA Council, Standing Committees, Synod Delegates, Coordinator, ELCA CORA Commissioners

Time line: Ongoing

Resources: Strategies shared from CORA, EAM, CAM, and other ecumenical partners, ELCA Social Statements, ELCMA Council, LOGA, LSA and ELCA Seminaries

Measurement: Create a united voice on issues of common concern

08/08 Update:    With the demise the Commission on Religion in Appalachia (CORA), ELCMA strategized with the ELCA churchwide unit on Church in Society, the WV/WMD Synod and Community Lutheran Partners (CLP) on ways to pick up the vital pieces left in CORA’s absence.  Our Appalachian Advocacy Summits are helping ELCMA educate, advocate and act on one particular issue for one year periods.  Action groups will continue the focus as we are called to move to new topics.  ELCMA is part of several electronic networks which shares alerts and updates on legislative issues.  These are then sent to appropriate delegates and contacts in the affected synods.  ELCMA has also been instrumental in the creation of and identification of persons to serve on several STaR Ministry Alliance affinity groups.  ELCMA Council has given the coordinator the authority to support appropriate petitions that coincide with ELCA social statements.  This has allowed ELCMA to be present with several groups as they work to fight for workers rights, environmental preservation and social justice.

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STRATEGY AREA III.  NETWORKING - ELCMA builds relationships and connects resources with opportunities.

 

GOAL 1.   Network ELCMA constituency

Responsibility: ELCMA Coordinator, newsletter editor, webmaster, support staff (increase time needed), Assembly delegates, volunteer writers

Time line:  * Appalgram reactivated by the 2003 Assembly, including a celebration issue to be circulated at annual ELCMA assemblies  * Appalbites are ongoing  * Webmaster identified and working on <www.elcma.org> by fall 2002  * Prayer Invitations ongoing *ELCMANEWS ongoing

Resources: Possible grant to Thrivent, current communications plan, Seeds for the Parish, Lutheran, synodical & WELCA newsletters, Appalbites, Prayer Invitations

Measurement: Time line goals met as stated above

08/08 Update: Prayer Invitations and Appalbites are being distributed electronically and at gatherings. Elcmanews is our electronic list-serv for rapid communications, mostly in-house types of information, but also upcoming meetings, events and urgent action issues.  Prayer Invitations and portions of the Appalbites publication are also available on our website.   The Annual Appalachian Assembly is our finest networking tool.  Leaders from all sixteen Appalachian Synods gather and meet together with churchwide and agency reps, community leaders and local congregational leaders to celebrate ministry, to renew and encourage one another, to share ideas and resources and to learn from each other.  These meetings move around the region to expose attendees to new and various ministries. An interactive  registration form will be at the ELCMA website beginning in January 2009. We will be in Morristown, TN in 2009.  Then 2010 will be in NW PA Synod.

GOAL 2.  Link pastors and congregations by database of gifts, talents and models available to be shared and/or modified for individual context/need

Responsibility:  ELCMA Coordinator, support staff,

Time line:  Database Task group formed by September 2002, gifts and talents form prepared and distributed by Database Task group at 2003 ELCMA Assembly. Initial information gathered and input into database by volunteer by April 2004.  Publicize resource beginning at Assembly 2004

Resources: ELCMA synod delegates, churchwide and synodical staff, website

Measurement: Database available and in use by May 2004

GOAL 3.  First call pastors/rostered and lay leaders nurtured by ELCMA network

Responsibility: ELCMA Coordinator, webmaster, expert volunteers, ELCMA synod delegates, synod staff sharing first call placements and new-to-the-area lay leaders with ELCMA

Time line: Begin in June 2002 and on going

Resources: Website, Elcmanews, Regional Coordinators and Seminaries         

 Measurement: Coordinator attends First Call Theological Education events in Regions 6, 7, 8, 9 to share handbooks and conduct workshops, where appropriate.  Coordinator reports to Council on persons contacted

08/08 Update: ELCMA works with first call pastors, mission developers, lay leaders and synod staff in a variety of ways. ELCMA also brings resourcing and encouragement to one-on-one meetings and produces ongoing relationships.  ELCMA was included in Region 8’s First Call Theological Education event in November 2007 because of an invitation that Bishop Ralph Dunkin secured for us.  The workshops were well attended and well received.  Nathan and Andrea Rice, Nathan Pile, Sonja Ware, Marge Lauver, Susan Williamson and Maren Alexis are a few first call pastors we have connected to the ELCMA network as a result.  They are being connected to our network and invited to various events.  They have been added to our prayer list and will be included in the latest prayer invitations on a rotating basis. 

 

GOAL 4.  Continue immersions for seminary students, faculty and others resourced by ELCMA.                    

Responsibility: ELCMA Council, Coordinator, ELCMA synod delegates

Time line: Ongoing

Resources: ELCMA synod delegates, seminaries, synod contacts, community groups, partner congregations, area experts, Rural Ministry Study Program and other similar immersion opportunities

Measurement: Immersion experience offered to various seminaries.

08/08 Update:  ELCMA plans, publicizes and guides immersions in the regions for individuals and groups when asked.  Council asked for some guidelines for working with non-supporting churchwide units and non-Lutherans requesting our services.  Those were amended/approved at the December 2007 Council meeting.  2008 will have at least one immersion offered.  It will focus around our advocacy agenda.

 

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STRATEGY AREA IV.  SUPPORT - enhance and diversify ELCMA’s funding sources

GOAL 1.   Secure statements of agreement with our supporting churchwide units

Responsibility: ELCMA Council, including ELCMA Bishop, Coordinator, Finance Committee

Time line: Letter to Executive Directors of Divisions for Outreach (DO) and Church in Society (DCS) outlining expected outcomes of  October 2002 consultation.  Meet with fifteen Appalachian Bishops, representatives of DO and DCS, ELCMA council chair and coordinator in October 2002, confirming statements of agreement there 

Resources:   Prep work of Finance Committee, Bishops of Appalachia

Measurement: Statements of agreement in hand by January 2003 ELCMA Council meeting

08/08 Update: Consultations were held with Evangelical Outreach/Congregational Ministry and Church in Society; agreements are continuing.  Of course, with the new church structuring, our funding will need to be reassessed.  We are looking to our churchwide folks who are designated council persons to assist us in securing our place within the new structure.  As always, our churchwide funding is contingent upon the giving levels to the national church, too.   The receipt of the Church in Society grant for advocacy was a result of our churchwide partners agreeing to partner on a commonly held goal in a larger way.  We are very grateful for their ongoing commitment to Appalachian ministry.

 

GOAL 2.  Increase giving to the ministry of ELCMA by Appalachian Synods

Responsibility: ELCMA’s Coordinator and Bishop, ELCMA synod delegates